Lable base with indicator tab  for industrial bins

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a label base assembly with an indicator tab that includes a label base assembly having at least one mounting section linked to the major face received in the front section of the bin and opposed retaining sections formed into the rear of the label bearing face. Also provided is an indicator tab having an indicator section and prongs projecting from the indicator section where the prongs slide between the retaining sections of the label base. Also provided is an industrial bin having a front section with opposed L-brackets for use in combination with the label base and indicator tab.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No., entitled “LABEL BASE WITH INDICATOR TAB FOR INDUSTRIAL BINS” and filed Sep. 30, 2013 and listing CHRISTOPHER D. CLARK as Inventor. All aspects of Application No. 61/883,729 are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

A large installed base of bin systems is in use in industrial assembly. Typically, the bins are mounted to a rack system or replaced on a shelf or work surface and are accessible from the front or top. In industrial assembly facilities that include Total Quality Management or Kaizen processes it is useful to include an indicator for low part levels in part bins so that the bin may be refilled in a timely manner to reduce personnel downtime while an empty bin is filled. Various bin systems have been introduced to assist in indicating low part levels. These prior art systems have been difficult to include into with the existing stock of bin systems or have necessitated replacement of a great number of bins in an assembly facility.

SUMMARY

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a label base assembly with an indicator tab is provided with a label base assembly having at least one mounting section linked to the major face received in the front section of the bin and opposed retaining sections formed into the rear of the label bearing face. Also provided is an indicator tab having an indicator section and prongs projecting from the indicator section where the prongs slide between the retaining sections of the label base. Also provided is an industrial bin having a front section with opposed L-brackets for use in combination with the label base and indicator tab.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and the many embodiments thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of the label base with indicator tab of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates an isometric view similar to FIG. 1A, but with the indicator tab retracted;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top plan view of the label base of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side plan view of the label base of the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates a rear plan view of the label base of the present invention in a first configuration;

FIG. 2D illustrates a bottom plan view of the label base of the present invention in a second configuration;

FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric view of an indicator tab suitable for use with the label base of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side plan view of an indicator tab suitable for use with the label base of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth therein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and it not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contest clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.

A bin label assembly 10 with an articulable indicator 50 in the extended position is shown in FIG. 1A having a first label face 12 having side edges 14, 18, top edge 16 and a bottom edge 20. Bottom edge 20 may include an extension 20 a. A rear-mounting surface (not shown) is formed between mount extension 22 and lateral fin 24 as well as extension 26 and later fin 28. Extensions 22, 26 connected at the upper edge 26 of label face 12. Label face 12 is inclined from the mounting surface by an angle of approximately 30° to 45° to allow for improved visibility Lateral fins 22, 28 are generally planar and sized such that it is received in the label holder of an industrial bin. Indicator tab 50 extends from bottom edge 20 of front face 12. Indicator tab 50 is extended by an operator by grasping extension 52 with the finger tips and pulling downward. Detents (not shown) may be used to retain indicator 50 at a number of positions.

A bin label assembly 10 with an articulable indicator of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1B having a first label face 12 having side edges 14, 18, top edge 16 and a bottom edge 20. Bottom edge 20 may include an extension 20 a. A rear-mounting surface (not shown) is formed between mount extension 22 and lateral fin 24 as well as extension 26 and lateral fin 28. Extensions 22, 26 connected at the upper edge 26 of label face 12. Label face 23 is inclined from the mounting surface by an angle of approximately 30° to 45° to allow for improved visibility Lateral fins 22, 28 are generally planar and sized such that it is received in the label holder of an industrial bin.

The top view of the bin label assembly 10 with an articulable indicator is shown in FIG. 2A The front face 12 includes sides 14, 18, lower extension 20 a and top surface 16. Mount extensions 22, 26 extend from the rear of the top surface. Support sidewall 32 extends from extension 22 to the rear of front face 12. Support sidewall 36 extends from extension 26 to the rear of front face 12. Detents are formed on the surface of sidewalls 32, 26 to retain indicator tab therebetween. Rear mounting surface 30 extends between side extensions 22, 26 may include a support wall 30 to guide indicator tab 50. Rear mounting surface 30, in combination with the rear surfaces of extensions 22, 26 and lateral fins 24, 28 combine to form a single surface that contacts the front face of an industrial bin. Optional leaf springs 22 a, 26 a may be mounted to the rear of extensions 22, 26. Leaf springs 22 a, 26 a contact the front face of an industrial bin and create a friction fit between bin label assembly 10 and an industrial bin.

The side view of the bin label assembly 10 with an articulable indicator 50 is shown in FIG. 2B. The right mounting surface is shown. The label face 12, with top surface 16 and side surface 16 includes mount extension 22 and lateral fin 24. Sidewall 32 extends between extension 22 and the rear of label face 12. Indicator tab 50 is inserted between the opposed sidewalls 32, 36 (36 shown in FIG. 2A) and may be moved between the deployed position (Shown in FIG. 1A) and the rest position (Shown in FIG. 1B). The lower edge of the indicator tab 50 includes a raised portion 52 for contact with the fingertips when as assembler moves the indicator tab 50 from the deployed position to the rest position. An optional sidewall 34 may extend from the rear surface of front face 12 to contact an optional ear 56 a formed on the outer edge of indicator tab 50. The sidewall 34 a and ear 56 a assist in alignment of the tab 50 in assembly 10. The distal end of ear 56 a may include a chamfer that contacts the lower end 34 a of sidewall 34 to assist in alignment during initial assembly. A radius curve 54 a may be formed at the junction between tab 50 and ear 56 a.

FIG. 2C shows the rear view of label base 10 with indicator tab 50 inserted. Indicator tab 50 is inserted between sidewalls 32, 36 and may be moved between the deployed position and the rest position. Indicator tab 50 includes a raised portion 52 for contact with the fingertips when an assembler moves the indicator tab from the deployed position to the rest position. The indicator tab includes flexible prongs 60, 62. The distal end of the prongs include detents 60 a, 62 a and stops 60 b, 62 b to secure the indicator tab at the deployed position. The rear face is formed by mount extensions 22, 26; lateral fins 24, 28 and rear mounting surface 30. A retaining device, such as leaf springs 22 a, 26 a may be formed on any surface of 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of the rear surface.

FIG. 2D shows the bottom view of label base 10 with indicator tab 50 inserted. Indicator tab 50 is inserted between sidewalls 32, 36 and may be moved between the deployed position and the rest position. Indicator tab 50 includes a raised portion 52 for contact with the fingertips when an assembler reaches below lower edge 20 and extension 20 a of front face 12 and moves the indicator tab from the deployed position to the rest position. The indicator tab includes flexible prongs 60, 62 with detents 60 a, 62 a (not shown) and stops 60 b, 62 b (not shown) to secure the indicator tab 50 at the deployed position. Sidewalls 34 align with tab ears 56 a, 56 b which join to tab 50 at radiused curve 54 a, 54 b. Rear wall extension 30 a is generally parallel to label face 12 such that flexible prongs 60, 62 are slidable between rear wall extension 30 a and sidewalls 32, 36 and label face 12. Retaining devices 22 a, 26 a may be formed on the rear face formed by mount extensions 22, 26; lateral fins 24, 28 and rear mounting surface 30.

The rear face is formed by rear surfaces of mount extensions 22, 26; lateral fins 24, 28 and rear mounting surface 30. A retaining device, such as leaf springs 22 a, 26 a may be formed on any surface of 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of the rear surface.

The indicator tab 50 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The indicator includes a planar indicator portion 50 with a lip 52 formed on the rear to assist in deploying the tab. A pair of flexible prongs 60, 62 extend from the indicator portion and may taper at the distal end. Each prong includes detents 60 a, 62 a, 60 c, 62 c to retain indicator tab 50 at the desired position and retaining lips 60 b, 6 sb at the distal end. The proximal end of the prong may include narrowed sections 60 d, 62 d to increase flexibility of prongs 60, 62 to ease insertion of the indicator tab 50 into the label base 10 and to decrease the force required to move the tab between the deployed and the rest position. Optional ears 56 a, 56 b may be included to improve alignment.

While the label base and indicator tab may be formed of any suitable material and by any method, typically the bases are formed of injection molded plastic or metal. Generally the label base will be formed of by injection molding from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, or polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene or polyethylene is or any other suitable polymer. The label may also be made from stamped and formed metal. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A label base assembly with an indicator tab for use with an industrial bin, comprising: a label base assembly having: a label bearing face having a front and rear; at least one mounting section linked to the major face; and an indicator tab having: an indicator section; opposed prongs projecting from the indicator section; the prongs of the indicator tab sized to slide between the opposed retaining sections of the label base.
 2. The label base assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining sections on the label are L-brackets.
 3. The label base assembly of claim 1, wherein the label base further comprises: ribs between the label bearing face and the mounting sections.
 4. The label base assembly of claim 1, wherein the label base further comprises: First and section mounting surfaces, each having planar sections of a first thickness having distal and proximal edges and tapered sections on at least the proximal edge.
 5. The label base assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining sections on the label are opposed L-brackets spaced at a predetermined distance; and the opposed prongs are spaced at a predetermined distance less than the distance between the spaced L-brackets.
 6. The label base assembly of claim 6, wherein the opposed prongs include detents and the L-brackets include projections.
 7. The label base assembly of claim 6, wherein the opposed prongs include a narrowed section proximate the indicator section.
 8. The label base assembly of claim 6, wherein the distal ends of the opposed prongs taper at the tip to ease insertion between the L-brackets.
 9. The label base assembly of claim 1, wherein the opposed prongs include a narrowed section proximate the indicator section.
 10. The label base assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal ends of the opposed prongs taper at the tip to ease insertion between the L-brackets.
 11. An industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab, comprising: an industrial bin having a front section with opposed L-brackets; a label base assembly having: a label bearing face having a front and rear; at least one mounting section linked to the major face received in the front section of the bin; and an indicator section; opposed prongs projecting from the indicator section; the prongs of the indicator tab sized to slide between the opposed retaining sections of the label base.
 12. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 11, wherein the retaining sections on the label are L-brackets.
 13. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 11, wherein the label base further comprises: ribs between the label bearing face and the mounting sections.
 14. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 11, wherein the label base further comprises: first and second mounting surfaces, each having planar sections of a first thickness having distal and proximal edges and tapered sections on at least the proximal edge.
 15. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 11, wherein the retaining sections on the label are opposed L-brackets spaced at a predetermined distance; and the opposed prongs are spaced at a predetermined distance less than the distance between the spaced L-brackets.
 16. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 15, wherein the opposed prongs include detents and the L-brackets include projections.
 17. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 15, wherein the opposed prongs include a narrowed section proximate the indicator section.
 18. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 15, wherein the opposed prongs include a narrowed section proximate the indicator section.
 19. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 11, wherein the opposed prongs include a narrowed section proximate the indicator section.
 20. The industrial bin and label base assembly with an indicator tab of claim 11, wherein the distal ends of the opposed prongs taper at the tip to ease insertion between the L-brackets. 